Petroglyph National Monument
Hike Historical Grounds
Back to Petroglyph National Monument
We began our late-September trip to Petroglyph National Monument at the Visitor’s Center. Our small group spoke with a very friendly staff member who, after asking several questions regarding the goals of our visit, suggested we try the Boca Negra Canyon Trails. The Boca Negra Canyon Trails are three relatively short trails (5, 15 and 30 minutes) a quick drive away from the Visitor’s Center where you can quickly and easily see quite a few petroglyphs. We paid $1 to enter the Boca Negra Canyon Trails park and walked the 5-minute Macaw trail and the 15-minute Cliff Base trail. Due to very uneven terrain and the well-advertised possibility of snakes, it is recommended that visitors wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 05 2009
The petrogylphs were fun to try and find.The petroglyphs were neat, but comming back to our car being broken into was not. It occurs often they say. Be carefull. Don't leave anything in the vehicle or have out of state licence plates.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 22 2007
I believe that is the approximate guesstimate as to how many "rock carvings" are located within this new National Monument, west of the Rio Grande River. A few "facts" that may help you on your visit. The petroglyps are scattered over a very large area, so you are not going to see thousands of petroglyphs in a short stroll. The carvings are done on black basault, from volcanic flows in prehistoric times long past. (The remnants of these volcanoes are on the West Mesa above.) Because the hardened flows are black, this area is very hot in the Summer. There is also the real possibility of Rattlesnakes in the area, but being shy by nature, and seeking to avoid the heat, they are rarely seen. This Albuquerquean recommends visiting the petroglyphs during cooler times of the year. Winter is probably the best if it's a nice sunny day. I agree, the small Visitor's Center, and enthusiastic staff are top notch, and you certainly can't say you were gyped with a free admission! :-)
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 27 2007
Petroglyphs is a fantastic place...You will want to have good, sturdy shoes as you climb a hill on a narrow, sometimes slippery pathway. Take water....The petroglyphs are amazing, and we met up with a park ranger that was very informative and eager to discuss the whole park and the history in general......
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 12 2006
The volunteer at the Visitors Center was very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly.
Reviewed by: First L from on May 24 2006
the petroglyph were great but some kids also added there marks on the rocks,that spoiled the experience, they need better security there!not sure if we'll go back!
Reviewed by: Daniel from on Sep 26 2005
My family and I really enjoyed our hike around the site exploring all the petroglyps. We had a reasonably easy time hiking up the mesa with a 6 and 8 year old in tow. The drawings were quite amazing. The price was right too (free)!
Reviewed by: RyanC from on Jul 11 2005
This is a very nice place to enjoy a nice walk on a beautiful day. The Petroglyphs are amazing to see and to think how they survived over many many years.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 19 2005
One of the most wonderous places we've ever been. The experience of finding the petroglyphs yourself was part of the ambience. Recommend you take water and drink it if you're not used to walking much as the pathway was sand.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 02 2005
I walked down the trail maybe 15 minutes. The petroglyphs I did see make you wonder what was going on that long ago when the Indians drew on the rocks like that. Very neat to see that history! Make sure to take a water bottle if you intend to walk back very far.
Reviewed by: Lisa D from on May 19 2005
Hike Historical Grounds
Back to Petroglyph National Monument
We began our late-September trip to Petroglyph National Monument at the Visitor’s Center. Our small group spoke with a very friendly staff member who, after asking several questions regarding the goals of our visit, suggested we try the Boca Negra Canyon Trails. The Boca Negra Canyon Trails are three relatively short trails (5, 15 and 30 minutes) a quick drive away from the Visitor’s Center where you can quickly and easily see quite a few petroglyphs. We paid $1 to enter the Boca Negra Canyon Trails park and walked the 5-minute Macaw trail and the 15-minute Cliff Base trail. Due to very uneven terrain and the well-advertised possibility of snakes, it is recommended that visitors wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 05 2009
The petrogylphs were fun to try and find.The petroglyphs were neat, but comming back to our car being broken into was not. It occurs often they say. Be carefull. Don't leave anything in the vehicle or have out of state licence plates.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jul 22 2007
I believe that is the approximate guesstimate as to how many "rock carvings" are located within this new National Monument, west of the Rio Grande River. A few "facts" that may help you on your visit. The petroglyps are scattered over a very large area, so you are not going to see thousands of petroglyphs in a short stroll. The carvings are done on black basault, from volcanic flows in prehistoric times long past. (The remnants of these volcanoes are on the West Mesa above.) Because the hardened flows are black, this area is very hot in the Summer. There is also the real possibility of Rattlesnakes in the area, but being shy by nature, and seeking to avoid the heat, they are rarely seen. This Albuquerquean recommends visiting the petroglyphs during cooler times of the year. Winter is probably the best if it's a nice sunny day. I agree, the small Visitor's Center, and enthusiastic staff are top notch, and you certainly can't say you were gyped with a free admission! :-)
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 27 2007
Petroglyphs is a fantastic place...You will want to have good, sturdy shoes as you climb a hill on a narrow, sometimes slippery pathway. Take water....The petroglyphs are amazing, and we met up with a park ranger that was very informative and eager to discuss the whole park and the history in general......
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 12 2006
The volunteer at the Visitors Center was very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly.
Reviewed by: First L from on May 24 2006
the petroglyph were great but some kids also added there marks on the rocks,that spoiled the experience, they need better security there!not sure if we'll go back!
Reviewed by: Daniel from on Sep 26 2005
My family and I really enjoyed our hike around the site exploring all the petroglyps. We had a reasonably easy time hiking up the mesa with a 6 and 8 year old in tow. The drawings were quite amazing. The price was right too (free)!
Reviewed by: RyanC from on Jul 11 2005
This is a very nice place to enjoy a nice walk on a beautiful day. The Petroglyphs are amazing to see and to think how they survived over many many years.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 19 2005
One of the most wonderous places we've ever been. The experience of finding the petroglyphs yourself was part of the ambience. Recommend you take water and drink it if you're not used to walking much as the pathway was sand.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Jun 02 2005
I walked down the trail maybe 15 minutes. The petroglyphs I did see make you wonder what was going on that long ago when the Indians drew on the rocks like that. Very neat to see that history! Make sure to take a water bottle if you intend to walk back very far.
Reviewed by: Lisa D from on May 19 2005
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